It Costs HOW MUCH to Go to a Wedding?!

Start penny-pinching now.

The bride and groom aren't the only ones shelling out big bucks for their special day: Wedding guests pay an average of almost $600 to attend the celebration, according to a new report by American Express. Buh-bye, rent!

Researchers conducted interviews with 1,086 adults. This year, American Express expects guests to pay approximately $592 on each wedding they attend. That includes clothing and accessories for the event, travel expenses (like airfare, hotel stays, or local transportation), bachelor or bachelorette party expenses, and even making arrangements for kids or pets. And if you're in the wedding party, the cost increases to an average of $618 (deep breaths…). Crazily enough, this does not include the cost of the gift! Of course, it's possible these are a little higher than average given the income of the participants and the fact that this includes airfare for long-distance weddings—one of the biggest money suckers, says financial coach Andrea Tavillian, founder of Take A Smart Step.

And while these numbers may be manageable for some people, for those on a budget, these costs may prevent them from even going. Luckily, you can plan ahead and save a few bucks (to use as tip money for the open bar, of course).

The Attire
If you're a bridesmaid, well, tough break. You can always send the bride some helpful (and affordable!) suggestions, but the choice is typically hers to make. If you've committed to stand by her side at the altar, start saving up ASAP, says Tavillian. You can always cut costs in other areas by doing your own hair and makeup and recycling a pair of shoes already in your closet. Then again, she might let you wear any style as long as the color matches. In that case, try renting your dress. If you're a wedding guest, there's a bit more room to be thrifty. You don't need a brand new outfit, says Tavillian. Dig through your closet for an LBD and jazz it up with some accessories in your jewelry box. You don't want to out-style the bride, after all. And if you're looking for something brand new to wear, hit up RentTheRunway.com…or a friend's closet.

The Travel
Flying burns big bucks in your wallet, so give yourself about six weeks to book a flight in advance, suggests Tavillian. While airline prices vary, this time period before the wedding usually has great deals (Tavillian recommends sites like Kayak to compare prices). And unless a hotel has decent last-minute rates, you'll want to book a room (if needed) then, too. For local destinations that you can drive to, ask people to carpool, says Tavillian. Everyone has $5 to chip in for gas money.

The Pre-Parties
Who says you have to go spring break-wild for the bachelorette party? If you're the one planning this shindig, try to keep it low key—like one awesome group dinner (preferably at a place that's BYOB so you can look for deals on cases of champagne to split with the guests). Of course, planning may be out of your control. In that case, dress up in a day-to-night look so that you don't have to splurge on an extra outfit, says Tavillian. And feel free to forgo certain party events for the ones you can actually afford—like going to dinner but opting out of the all-day spa festivities. That way you'll still get to celebrate with the bride-to-be, which is ultimately what she'll remember. You also could skip the party all together, especially if you'd have to travel for that and the wedding, says Travillian. After all, the actual wedding is far more important than her last single bash (and the hangover that usually accompanies it).

The Gift
Interestingly, the research found that 55 percent of couples prefer cash presents. If that's the case, feel free to hand them whatever amount you're comfortable giving away, says Tavillian. Just make sure it's not less than the cost of the cheapest blender on their registry. But if you decide to go with an actual gift, team up. Gather your buddies and pitch in for one of the more expensive items that you couldn't afford on your own. The bride and groom will appreciate that a lot more than a $40 salad spinner.